Air-control system for apparatus displacing material by combustive explosions

ABSTRACT

An air control system for an apparatus displacing material by combustive explosions insuring that the air valve leading to the combustion chamber is closed during combustion. An air supply system for a combustive apparatus for displacing material in which the charging pressure of the air in the combustion chamber may be selected and controlled. An air control system for controlling the air inlet valve to the combustion chamber of an explosive material displacing apparatus having a relief valve with means for adjusting the pressure at which the relief valve opens with a control valve connected to and responsive to the relief valve and an air control line connected to the air supply in which the flow of air therethrough is controlled by the control valve, and a piston connected to the air inlet valve and exposed on one side to the pressure in the air control line whereby pressure passing through the control line acts on the piston in a direction to close the valve, and air bleed means connected to the air control line for relieving the air control line to allow the air inlet valve to be actuated. The air control system controlling the air supply valve to allow the full air supply pressure to be built up before charging the combustion chamber with air thereby allowing the air supply system to charge air to the combustion chamber at a higher charging rate.



1. In an apparatus for displacing material having a combustion chamber,a fuel inlet, air supply for supplying air to an air inlet therein, anignition circuit for creating an explosion therein, and an outlet fordirecting the explosive forces against the material to be displaced, theimprovement in a control system for controlling the admission of airinto the combustion chamber comprising, an air inlet valve between thecombustion chamber and the air supply controlling the admission of airinto the chamber, a relief valve, means for adjusting the pressure atwhich the relief valve opens, a control valve connected to andresponsive to the relief valve, an air control line in communicationwith the air supply and the flow of air therethrough controlled by thecontrol valve, a piston connected to the air inlet valve and exposed onone side to the pressure in the air control line whereby any pressureexerted thereon acts in a direction to close said inlet valve, and airbleed means connected to the air control line downstream from thecontrol valve bleeding said line.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinthe means for adjusting the pressure at which the relief valve opensincludes, a beam one end of which engages and controls the relief valve,a spring yieldably acting against the other end of the beam, and a cammovable along the beam for varying the force of the beam acting on thevalve.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control valve includes apiston the first side of which is larger than the second side, and thefirst side being in communication with the relief valve, the second sidebeing in communication with the pressure in the air control line and anorifice communicating between the first and second sides of said piston.4. The apparatus of claim 3 including, a spring acting against the firstside of said piston in a direction to close said valve.
 5. The apparatusof claim 1 wherein the air bleed means includes, a solenoid actuatedvalve.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 including, an electrical switch insaid ignition circuit and positioned to be actuated by said air inletvalve when the valve is in the closed position.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 3 including, an electrical switch in said ignition circuit andpositioned to be actuated by said air inlet valve when the valve is inthe closed position.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the air bleedmeans includes, a solenoid actuated valve.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the air bleed means includes, a bleed orifice.